The Seacroft: a love story (Paines Creek Beach Book 2)

by Lazar, Aaron Paul

  She selected Lightning, by Koontz, and settled into an armchair to read.

  By nine o’clock she was yawning, not because the book didn’t fascinate her, but because she’d expended too much energy worrying about Cody today and she’d been up at the crack of dawn. She bookmarked her place, stood, and stretched.

  She tested the couch, realizing in seconds how lumpy it was. There was no way she’d be able to sleep on it.

  She considered the armchair, but she knew her neck would hurt in the morning if she slept sitting up.

  With growing courage, she made her decision, and walked boldly into Cody’s bedroom. She found an old tee shirt in his bureau, changed into it, and spread the clean comforter onto the bed. It was starting to get cold in the room, so she lowered the windows to almost-closed.

  She left the bathroom light on so she’d know where she was if she woke up to pee in the middle of the night. Clicking off the bedroom light, she eased into the bed.

  He didn’t wake up.

  She rolled onto her side, punched the pillow she’d stolen from his closet, and got comfortable. In minutes, she was asleep.

  Chapter 19

  Cody woke the next morning spooning the soft curves of a woman.

  He nestled closer to her, hard and ready to make love, and without thinking, he lifted the back of her tee shirt. Slipping his hands around her waist, he reached around to massage her soft breasts, kissing the silky skin of her shoulders and neck.

  In the back of his mind, he tried to remember who he’d taken to bed the night before, but he couldn’t think straight. His brain felt fuzzy, and his mouth was cotton-dry. But right now, all he could think of was sex.

  The woman awoke and stiffened, pushing his hands away. She scooted away and turned to face him. “Cody! My God, what are you doing?” Vivian stared at him, breathing hard, her eyes wide.

  “Wait. What?” He put one hand to his eyes and rubbed, then blinked three times. “Viv?”

  She pulled herself together and stood, arms crossed, staring down at him with a slight smile. “Well. I guess we know who’s feeling better.”

  Still not thinking straight, he stared at her. “Why are you in my bed? Did we—”

  “No!” She laughed nervously. “I just stayed because you were so sick. Don’t you remember?”

  He sat up, but felt woozy. “I don’t—”

  “You were running a high temperature, weak as a kitten. You asked me not to go.”

  He rubbed his hands over his mouth. “Oh.”

  “Your couch is really lumpy, so I sneaked in here last night. Sorry if I gave you the wrong idea.”

  “No,” he said, reaching for the water on the nightstand. “No, it’s fine. I just didn’t know where I was. Who you were. I’m the one who should apologize.”

  Before they could finish their conversation, Uvi burst into the bedroom, eyes wild and hands flapping madly about her. “What the hell is going on here?” She screamed the words, spitting fire.

  Vivian said, “It’s not what you think, Uvi.”

  Cody just blinked, still unsure how to deal with either of them.

  Uvi screamed just inches from Vivian’s face. “I TOLD you yesterday I won’t have my employees fraternizing in this manner! Are you trying to get fired?”

  Vivian pulled a throw from a chair in the corner and wrapped it around her waist. “No, I don’t want to get fired. And, no, we didn’t ‘fraternize.’ Cody was sick. Burning up. I stayed only to help him through the night. It’s not like that. Not at all.”

  Cody felt a tiny stab of disappointment at her words, but he raised both hands in the air. “Viv’s right. I don’t even remember yesterday.”

  Vivian gestured to the thermometer on the nightstand. “His temperature spiked last night. It was almost one hundred and three. He fell in the bathroom, and it was all I could do to get him up again.”

  Cody watched her as she skirted around Uvi and made a half circle around the room. He vaguely remembered falling. Someone helping him.

  “I’ve been giving him soup and Tylenol. Keeping him hydrated,” Viv said. “It was either that, or calling the ambulance. He needed my help.”

  Like a pinpricked balloon, Uvi seemed to deflate. “Oh, I see. I’m, uh, sorry.”

  Cody sat up, but made sure he pulled the comforter over his erection so Uvi wouldn’t see it. Even though it was getting softer, he sure as hell didn’t need to confuse the issue. “I feel a little better this morning.”

  Vivian walked across the room and grabbed the thermometer. “Here. Let’s take your temperature again.”

  They waited while Uvi watched.

  “One hundred point two,” Vivian said. “You still have a fever, but it’s better than last night.”

  Uvi slumped into the corner chair. “So. Will either of you be working today?”

  Cody exchanged a glance with Vivian. “Viv?”

  She nodded and gave a half smile. “Sure. I can work today.” She checked the clock on the wall. “But it’s only six-thirty. Why did you come over here so early?”

  Uvi blanched. “Well. I. Um. You didn’t come back last night. I checked your room, and you weren’t there. So I got worried.”

  “Worried?” Vivian said. “About me, or Cody?”

  “Both of you,” Uvi said. “Just wondered if you were okay.”

  Cody frowned. Did Uvi honestly care about Vivian? He doubted it, and he knew the real reason she’d come storming over. He knew that what lay beneath his mounded-up comforter was what she wanted. And she was probably pissed that he hadn’t shown up the night before in her bedroom. It angered him, and he wondered suddenly how long he’d be able to keep this job. How could he give in to Uvi’s needs, and still have a chance with Vivian?

  He had a lot to think about, but right now he couldn’t focus on anything other than how to get Uvi out of his room so he could make it to the bathroom.

  “I’d like some privacy, now, ladies. I think I’ll be okay without any more help.”

  Uvi stood to leave, but couldn’t disguise the lustful glance she shot at his body.

  Did she know he was naked beneath the covers?

  “Very well. Call me if you’re not recovered in the morning,” she said.

  Cody nodded. “Will do.”

  Uvi slipped out the door, leaving it open behind her.

  “Be out in a sec.” Vivian grabbed her clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.

  He stood and wobbled over to the bureau, grabbing a pair of clean shorts and a tee shirt. One look in the mirror made him stagger back. He looked like hell.

  “Can I make you some eggs before I leave?” Viv said, popping back into the bedroom.

  He headed for the bathroom, realizing his stomach was rolling with hunger. “Actually, that would be really nice. If it’s not too much bother.”

  She smiled, and he wondered how she could look so fresh and pretty after rolling right out of bed. Her skin seemed to glow in the morning light, and when she looked in his direction, he felt a shiver run down his spine.

  What’s happening to me?

  He finished up in the bathroom, then came out and sat at the two-person kitchen table, watching her work. The smell of toast made his stomach growl even more.

  She heard it, and turned to laugh. “You poor thing. You are hungry.”

  He chuckled. “I guess.” He marveled at the ease with which she dispatched each chore.

  “Is it too soon for coffee?” she asked. “I mean, with your poor stomach and all.”

  He grimaced. “Yeah. I think I’ll avoid that for a while.”

  “How about juice?”

  “Maybe a small glass.”

  She poured it without further fussing, and he realized he’d never felt so at ease with a woman before. They really didn’t need to talk much. They understood each other without a lot of claptrap.

  “There’s a hurricane coming up the coast,” she said. “They’ve named it Delilah.”

  “They should have
named it Uvi.” He chuckled, receiving a smirk in return. “Is it gonna be a bad one?”

  “Looks like it. We’ll know more in a day or two.”

  “Crap,” he said, realizing in a flash that he’d better get well fast.

  “Does that mean more work for you?”

  “You have no idea. I’ll have to button up this place and Blueberry Hill. We’ll have to put up the plywood, secure the barn, make sure we’ve got enough food for the animals. Candles. Firewood. Camp stoves. Water.” He ticked the items off on his fingers.

  “I can help,” Viv said, flipping the eggs in the pan. “Just put me to work.”

  He rested his chin on the palm of one hand, staring at her. “You are one amazing lady, Vivian Wood.”

  She snorted a laugh. “Sure I am.” A minute later, she slid the eggs onto a plate with two pieces of toast. “Now. Eat.”

  He accepted the fork from her and took a bite of eggs. “Delicious.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be back to check on you at noon. Try to rest in bed, okay?”

  He swallowed. “You’ve got it.”

  She leaned over to squeeze his shoulder. “Take two Tylenol when you’re done. Okay?”

  He looked up into her long-lashed eyes and blinked. “Thanks. I will.”

  Oh God. I think I’m falling in love.

  Chapter 20

  At eleven-thirty Cody plugged in his phone. Fifteen missed calls from his boss and two from his Uncle Finn.

  Great.

  When it rang a few minutes later, he rolled his eyes, expecting it to be Uvi. A glance at the screen told him he was wrong.

  “Uncle Finn?”

  “Hey, Cody.” Finn said. “I’m surprised I caught you. Thought you’d be outside mowing or something.”

  “I’ve been sick. Caught what the girls had.”

  “Damn. I’m sorry.” Finn grew silent for a minute, then said, “Are you well enough for a short visit? I need to talk to you.”

  “Sure. I’m lying low today, taking the day off to kick this thing.”

  “Okay. See you in ten minutes.”

  

  When Finn arrived, Cody had already run through a number of scenarios. What could be so important that his uncle couldn’t wait until the weekend to talk, like they always did? And why couldn’t he say it over the phone? Was someone dying? Was one of the horses sick?

  He started to worry.

  “Have a seat,” he said, when Finn came through the door.

  “Can’t stay long,” his uncle said, plopping into the armchair. “But I wanted to see you in person about this.”

  “About what?” Cody lay back on the couch.

  Finn studied him. “You look like crap.”

  Cody laughed. “I know. Now come on, what’s this about?”

  “I need you back at the farm.”

  Cody’s heart dropped. This wasn’t what he’d expected.

  Finn got up and started to pace. “It’s killing me. I’m working sixteen hours a day and I’m still behind. I’ve gotta get some help or I’ll go under. And our picking season is coming up soon.”

  Cody locked eyes with his uncle. “I love this job. I love my apartment. I love my independence. You know I hated working the farm.”

  Finn snorted a derisive laugh and gestured outside to the grounds. “But this isn’t a career, Cody. If you’re not going to school, you might as well work toward your future. And that’s the farm.”

  “Wait a minute. You worked practically this same job over at The Seacrest. Right?”

  Finn shot him a reluctant smile. “True. But when I inherited the farm, I found a new calling.”

  “What if I want something else?”

  Finn cocked his head. “Did you really hate it so much? I mean, tending the berries and land?”

  Cody expelled a long sigh. “No. The work was okay. It’s just the pay sucked and I was desperate for my own place. It’s hard to have a love life when three little girls tumble into your bed every morning.”

  “I can see that.” Finn chuckled. “Well, what about Vivian? What if you want to marry her? How will you make enough to support her?”

  “I just met her, Uncle Finn. Geez. And you supported your first wife, Cora, in the same kind of job as me for years. Right?”

  “We barely scraped by, Cody. Never had enough of anything. Could barely keep the cars running. I don’t want that for you.”

  “Doesn’t it matter what I want?”

  Finn sat down again, leaning back and deliberately crossing his ankles. “Of course it does.”

  “What about if I help out on the weekends and some nights?”

  “Yeah?” Finn smiled. “That sure would help.”

  “Maybe I could get Vivian to help. She loves the horses. Maybe she could tend them in the evenings. Her mom’s in a nursing home. That can’t be cheap.”

  “I heard about that. Really sad. Especially after losing her father.”

  Cody sat up. “You knew about that?”

  “Actually, Vivian’s grandmother knew my mother. Through the PTA or something. Jax and I went to Mr. Wood’s funeral.”

  “You did? Viv says he died of complications due to the fire. Pretty rotten.”

  Finn pursed his lips. “She told you that? Wow. I’d heard rumors about that, but wasn’t sure. We really owe her family, don’t we?”

  “Well, there’s no family left. It’s just Vivian,” Cody said. “But she doesn’t think of it that way, like we ‘owe her’ anything. To tell the truth, though, it was hard for her to come up to the hill the other day. Knowing what happened and all.”

  “She’s one brave lady.”

  “She is.”

  Finn stood up suddenly. “Listen. There’s a storm coming up the coast, so I’ve gotta get back and start closing up the farm.” He looked out the window, where the skies had clouded up. “You gonna be okay taking care of this place? Can you handle it all?”

  “Vivian said she’d help.”

  From the doorway a melodic voice said, “Vivian said she’d help with what?”

  Cody turned to see Vivian smiling at him, carrying a lunch sack. “Hi. We were talking about the hurricane.”

  She came into the apartment, nodding to Finn. “Hi, Mr. McGraw. I was just listening to the radio over in the kitchen. It sounds like we’re gonna be in for a big blow. And she’s moving faster than they expected. Straight up the coast.” She unpacked the bag and took down plates and glasses from the cupboards. “I’m sorry. I only brought enough for Cody. Are you hungry? I could go get some more.”

  “Vivian, call me Finn, remember? And no worries about lunch, I’m just about to go. But thanks for the offer. And let me know if you need help getting this place ready for the storm. We could call in a few guys from town to come out if you’re desperate.” He headed for the door. “Cody? I’ll call you later so we can talk about a schedule.”

  He strode out the door, clattered down the stairs, and in seconds, they heard his truck start up and drive away.

  Chapter 21

  “So,” Vivian said. “Let’s check your temperature.” Without asking, she grabbed the thermometer and slid it into his mouth.

  It beeped and he let her remove it.

  She held it up and studied the reading, grinning. “You’re normal.”

  He cocked one eyebrow. “I don’t think that’s possible. I’ve never been normal.”

  She snorted a laugh and shoved him sideways. “Welcome to the club.”

  He motioned to one of the kitchen chairs. “Can you stay for a bit?”

  She checked the time on her phone. “I have exactly nineteen minutes. I told Uvi I’d be back at half past.”

  He unabashedly dug into the lunch sack and found sliced Gouda cheese, red seedless grapes, carrot sticks, Triscuits, and a bottle of Pinot Noir. “Nice. Will you join me?”

  “I thought you’d be starving. And that you might want to celebrate feeling better with a little wine.”

  “I’m hungry, but th
ere’s plenty here.” Cody shook his head and settled at the table. “Sit and eat with me.”

  She hesitated. “Okay. If you’re sure?”

  “Absolutely.” He popped a glistening grape into his mouth and his stomach didn’t protest. It was a good sign. He made a sandwich of crackers and cheese, enjoying the creamy taste of the cheese combined with the crunch of the cracker. “Did she work you hard this morning?”

  Vivian rolled her eyes, taking a seat opposite him. She poured a small glass of wine for herself. “God, yes. You should have seen the mess in her room. Broken vases, shattered pictures of her husband, the works.” She picked up a carrot stick and took a bite. “It was like she had a tantrum. You know?”

  “Like a two-year-old?” he asked.

  “Exactly. She seems mad at me, though. As if I’ve ticked her off.”

  Cody grimaced. “I think she’s jealous.”

  “What?” Viv pursed her lips. “It’s not possible. She’s got everything. She’s beautiful. Rich. Powerful.”

  “She still thinks we’ve got something going on.” He wagged his forefinger between them.

  “What? No.” Viv dismissed the idea and changed the subject. “So, is this the first time Finn’s come to visit you here?’

  “Yeah, it is. He’s got a problem with manpower at the farm.”

  Vivian’s head shot up. “You’re not going back, are you?”

  Is that alarm in her eyes? Would she care if I left?

  “No. But I said I’d help out in my spare time. A few nights a week. Weekends.” He took a long sip of wine and wiped his mouth. “You wanna help?”

  She glanced up at him. “Help? How?”

  “He’ll pay you. Not much, but it could add up. You could take care of the horses. Or maybe babysit so Libby could sell berries. Stuff like that.”

  Vivian’s face lit up as if he’d just offered her a cruise in the Caribbean. “I’d love to.”

  “Yeah? Really?”